Liquid storage and supply system



9 99' 29, 1999., v 9,991,999 9 c. F. KETTERING v v LIQUID STORAGE-AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Nov. 7 1918 9 MW 9 h Patented Apr. 22, 192%..

CHARLES FRANKLIN KETTERING, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEETS, 'I'O DELGO-LIGHT COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

Application filed. November 7, 1918. Serial No. 261,570.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. KETTER- ING, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Liquid Storage and Supply Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to an improvement in liquid storage and supply systems and more particularly to systems wherein the supply of liquid is controlled automatically. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage and sup ply device including a storage tank having provisions for enclosing the liquid pump and the devices for driving the pump entirely within the'tank in order that said pump and device may be protected from in jury, and in order that the possibility of leakage of liquid from the system may be reduced. s

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid storage and supply system including a storage tank having a cover upon which a pump unit, including a pump element and a motor for driving the pump, is mounted in such a manner that by the removal of the cover from the tank the pump unit may be removed with the cover to facilitate the repair of the pump unit or the motor, and to free the tank of the pump unit in case it is desired to repair or replace the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pump unit which is self-contained within the tank, and removable with the cover of the tank, and which has provisions cooperating therewith for controlling the pump in accordance with the level of liquld stored within the tank. I

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the follow- .ing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred embodlment of one form of the present 1nvention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of the storage tank, part of which is broken away to show a longitudinal sectional view of the pump unit which is contained within the tank; and

Fig. 2-is a side view on an enlarged scale of the motor and certain of the controlling devices shown in Fig. 1 the switch being shown in circuit closing position.

Referring to the drawings, 20 designates a storage tank provided at its bottom with a threaded aperture 21 into which is screwed a stationary pump element 22 having a flange 23 and a base 24. The flange 23 and the base 24 cooperate to provide a cup shaped chamber for the reception of a pumping element to be described later. The stationary pump element 22 is :provided with an intake passage 25 provided with a valve 26 for the purpose of preventing a reverse flow of liquid when the pump is at rest. A portionof the flange 23 is cut away at 27 to provide an outlet for the liquid into the storage tank 20.

Tank 20 is provided with an outlet pipe 28, andwith a pipe 29 which is connected with an air pump or similar device for maintaining air pressure within the tank above the liquid.

30 desi ates a cover which is secured by any suita le means such as screws 31 to a flange 32 supported by the tank 20. The

cover 30 supports an electric motor 33 of the enclosed type. The motor armature shaft 34 extends downwardly and supports at its lower end a rotating pump element 35 having radially extending blades 36 which are constructed and arranged so as to provide for the admission of the water centrally of the pump, and to impel" the water by centrifugal force into the tank 20 through the pump outlet 27.

A pump cover 37 is mounted upon the shaft .34 and disposed between the pump rotor 35 and a collar 38 fixed upon said shaft 34:. When in the position shown in Fig. 1, the cover 37 rests upon the upper surface of the flange 23 of the stationary pump element 22. A locating projection 39 formed on said flange 23 extends into a hole provided in the cover 37. In this manner rotation of the cover 37 with respect to the element 22 is prevented. The cover 37 is provided with The mec MM; for controlling the action of the motor in accordance with the level of liquid within the tank will now be described. The motor terminal 45, is connected with the. battery 46 by means of wire 47, and the motor terminal 48 is connected with an insulated switch contact 49 by wire 49.

A'switch contact 50 mounted on a lever, 51 but insulated therefrom is arranged to co- 3 rate with the contact 49, and is connectby wire 52 with the battery 45. The lever 51 and a lever 53 are pivotally mounted on the casin' of the motor 33 and are provided with pins 52* and 54,- respectively, to which the ends of a s ring 55 are connected.

The end of lever 53 is connected with an upwardly extending arm 56 which is preterably integral with a flange 57 formed on a tube 58 which'is slidably mounted u the shaft 34. Said tube 58 is p 'd I its lower end with a flan 59. A float element 60 is slidably mounted upon the tube i an will be closed rotate 58 and is adapted to cooperate with the flanges 57 and 59 in such a manner as. to cause said member 58 to move upwardly due to the buoyant action of the liquid contained within the tank 20 orto move downwardly from the influence of gravity upon the float 60 and said tube 58."

It is. apparent that when the liquid in the tank 20 has reached a predetermined low level the weight of the members 58 and 60. will be sufiiclent to overcome the tension in the spring and to cause the levers 51 and 53'to move into the position shown in Fi 2. When thisxoccurs the contacts 49 flow from the battery 46'to the 'motor 33 thereb causing the pump element 35 to be d and liquid to be drawn up into the tank 20. .When the liquid in tank 20 has reached a predetermined high level the ressure of'the liquid upon the float wi spring 55 to such a degree as to cause the members 51 and 53 to move to the position shown in Fi 1, thereby separating the con- 7 One of the a vanta and the controlling devices are tacts v49 an 50 and causing the motor to stop. In this manner the pumpiwill be operated only after the storage tank has been practically em tied. I a

of having a pumping unit which is one osed within the' storage tank re'sults from the. fact that the unit from injury due to accident or to meddling by persons who are inexperienced in the care and maintenance of a pumping system. By enclosing the pump within the storage tank, the annoyance resulting from a leaky pump is eliminated, and a pump of very simp e construction can be employed, since K it-is not necessary to provide any ackin to prevent leakage of the pump. E

can be lifted h the cover, the shaft 34, the pump rotor 35 permitting current to b 'suflicient to overcome the tension in the protected By removin the screws 31, the cover. 30 om the tank. In removing and the cover 37 will be drawn upwardl and may be readily removed from the tan to a position in which the parts are'readily accessible for repairs. The tank will then be free for repairs or replacement. In case repairs to the stationary pump element; 22 or the valve 26 are necessary said element 22 can be readily removed from the tank 20 hy' uhscrewing it out of the threaded opening 21.

In order to protect the motor 33 and the motor switch elements from injury due to it the splashing of liquid within the tank f20 a water-proof houslng shown in Fig. 2

is secured to the inner surface of the cover. 30 and forms an inclosure for the motorand motor controlling devices. The hous ing 65 is provided with openin s 66 andfi? through which the armature s aft 34 and the. the armi56 respectively, may extend.

Suitableacking such as a composition; of hemp an rubber may be provided at the openings 66 and 67 to prevent the liquid from leaking by the armature shaft ,34 and the arm 56. 1;

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described constitutes a referred embodiment of one form of the invention,

it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted and various changes and alterations made in the shape,=size and proportion of the elements therein without de-V parting irom the spirit and scope of the invent on. 1 v,

1. In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank having a removable cover; of a motor suspende from said cover and removable therewith, said motor having an armature shaft extending to a point near the bottom of the tank and carrying at its-lower end a pump means for for controlling'the'motor; of walls depending from the tank to form a housing for the motor and switch, to prevent the water in the tank from coming incontact with the motor switch.

3. In a liquid storageand .sulply systtim,

.the combination with a tank; 0 means or drawing liquid-through a wall of the tank comprising a pump element self-contained menace within the tank, a motor for operating the pump element, and means for controlling the motor; walls depending from the tank to form a housing for the motor, and for preventing the liquid in the tank from coming in' contact with the motor.

4. In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank; of a pump located within said tank and having a stationary part secured to the tank and a movable pump part removable therefrom without removing the stationary part; and a unitary structure located within the tank and including the movable pump part and driving means therefor.

5, In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank having an openig at the top'and a cover therefor; of a pump located within said tank and having a stationary part secured to the tank at the bottom thereof and opposite said cover, and a movable -pump part removable therefrom Without removing the stationary part; and a unitary structure located within the tank and supported by said cover and including the movable pump part and driving means therefor.

(iln a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank; of a stationary pump member secured to the bottom of the tank; and a pump unit suspended from the top of the tank including a motor having a vertical shaft extendin adjacent the bottom of the tank and including a movable pump member secured to the shaft and held by said shaft in cooperative position with respect to the stationary pump member.

7. In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank; of a stationary pump member secured to the tank; a movable pump member removable from the stationary member; meansfor removably securing the movable pump member within the tank and maintaining said movable pump member in cooperative position with respect. to the stationary pump member.

8. In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank; of a pump located within the tank and including a stationary pump chamber secured to a wall of the tank, and a pump cover and a movable pump member both removable from the chamber; and a motor removably secured to the tank and havin an operating shaft extending adjacent t e pump chamber and supporting the pump cover and movable pump member, said motor shaft retaining said cover and movable member in cooperaiive position with respect to the pump cham er. a

9. In a liquid storage and supply system, the combination with a storage tank; a pump member supported by one wall of the tank; an opening in a wall of the tank opposed to'the said pump member; a removable cover for said opening; a pump carried by said cover and adapted to cooperate with first said mentioned pump member to pump a fluid; and guide means carried by one of the pump members for guiding said members into cooperating position.'

10. A water storage and distributing system, comprising, in combination, a tank for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply system, an outlet pipe having its mouth opening into the tank below the normal level of the water in the tank and connected with the supply system, means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a pump within the tank for pumping water thereinto, and a motor entirely enclosed within the tank for driving said pump.

11. A water storage and distributing system, comprising, in combination, a tank for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply system, an outlet pipe having its mouth opening into the tank below the normal level of the water in the tank and connected with the supply eyetem, means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a pump within the tank for pumping water thereinto, and a motor entirely enclosed within the tank and above the normal level of the water therein for driving said pump.

12. A water storage and distributing system, comprising, in combination, a tank for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply system, an outlet pipe having its mouth opening into the tank below the normal level of water in the tank and connected with the supply system, means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a pump within the tank for pumping water thereinto, a motor entirely enclosed within the tank for driving said pump, and means for enclosing said motor.

13. A water storage and distributing system, comprising, in combination, a tank for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply system said tank being provided with a removable cover, an outlet pipe having its mouth opening into the tank below the normal level of water in the tank and connected with the under pressure into said tank, a pump with in the tank'for pumping water thereinto, and a motor supported by said cover and entirely enclosed within the tank for driving said pump. 7 I

14. A water storage and distributing system, comprising, in combination, a tank for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply. system, an outlet pipe having its mouth opening into the tank below the normal level of water in the tank and connected with the supply system,

supply system, means for introducing air means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a-pump for pum ing water v surefor delivery to a: supgly system, an outinto the tank, means entirely eno osed with in the tank for driving said pump and means responsive-to the hydrostatic conditions within the tank for controlling said drivingmeans.

ll 15. Awater storage and distrihutin system, comprising, in combination, a tan for receiving water and storing it under preslet pipe havingits mout opening into the tank below the normal level of water in the i let-pipe having its mout tank below the normal'level of water in the tank and connected with the supply system,

means for introducing air under pressurereceiving waterand storing it under pressure for delivery to a supgly system, an critopemng lnto t e tank and'connected with the supply system,

neeneee means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a pump for pum ing water into the tank, means entirely enc osed within the tank for driving said pump, and means responsive to a rise in the water level within the'tank to stop said driving means;

17. A water storage and distributin system, comprising, in combination, a ta for receiving water and storing it under pressure for delivery to a supply system, an outlet-pipe having its mouth openingmto the tank below the normal level of water-in the;

tankand connected with the su ply system, means for introducing air under pressure into said tank, a pump for pum ing water into the tank; means entirely enc osed with in the tankfor driving said pump, meansv including a switch within the tank for don trolling the operation of the motor, and

means within the tank for 'enclosing'said' motor and switch.

ture, I

Witnesses; g r J. H. MCDONALIX vvfigs 1 In testimony whereof I a signa-L 5 

